Dam and headgate



Patented Get. 18, 1927.

UNITED STATES DAVID C. MCCANDLESS, OF BOISE, IDAHO.

DAM Ann HEADGATE.

Application filed June 5,

This invention relates to improvements in dam and headgate construction, particularly in the type adaptable for irrigation ditches, and the like.

An object of this invention is to provide an adjustable dam construction which may be adjusted to any size or Width of ditch.

Another object of this invention is to provide a headgate which may be easily lowered or closed to adjust the flow of water to the requirements, the gate being of a metal frame construction, preferably covered with cloth or other suitable material, the layers of cloth functioning to act as a sealing means thereby preventing leakage through the gate.

A further object of this invention is to provide a dam composed of suitable segments adapted to be adj ustably connected together, the joints between the diflerent seg ments being covered by a cloth apron or an apron of other suitable material, thereby functioning to make the joints self sealing and to prevent leakage between the segments. The apron of cloth or otherwise, is adapted to be readily removed and easily replaced in the event of damage or wear.

A further object of this invention is to provide a dam made of segments adjustably connected together having suitable angle iron supports attached to each segment, thereby giving greater strength and rigidity to the dam, and at the same time the angle iron supports will function to hold the dam in position along the bottom and sides of the irri gating ditch in such a manner as to make the dam permanent and non-leakable and for convenient removal and handling.

Another object of this invention is to provide a removable spillway arranged on the back of the dam, having its inception at the lower end of the opening and aninclined disposal plate outwardly from the dam.

Further objects of this invention will appear from the following detailed description and in the'disclosure of the single sheet of drawings which is herewith made a partor" this application.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 illustrates a rear elevational view of the dam showing the different sections thereof in assembled relationship including the removable spillway.

Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the dam disclosing the segments thereof and other portions in detachable relationship previous to assembling.

1926. Serial No. 113,969.

I Fig. 3 is a sectional view of Figure 1, taken along line 33, disclosing a portion of the spillway and guides for the headgate.

Fig. at represents a sectional view of Figure 1 taken along lines 1%.

Fig. 5 illustrates a front elevational view of a portion cut away of a headgate consisting of a frame covered withcloth or other suitable material. V

Fig. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a modified form of headgate comprising a sheetmetal body portion co'vered'with cloth.

or other suitable material.

This invention provides a dam suitable for irrigation ditches or the like, the dam consisting of preferably a plurality of sections as 1 and 2 adapted to be brought into collapsible and telescopic relationship with a main section 3 of the dam. The upper edge of the sections 1, 2 and 3, are rolled in such a manner as to allow two end sections 1 and 2 to horizontally adjust themselves in relation to main section 3. The rolled portions are des ignated by numerals 4. 5, and 6. The rolled portions at the top of the dam sections function to give strength and rigidity to the dam, aswell as to allow horizontal adjustability and accommodate the dam to the size of the ditch.

On the front of the main section 3 of the dam, is adapted to be suitably fastened by means of rivets or otherwise, metal guides 7 and 8 and a lower. stop section 9. The guides 7 and 8 and stop 9, are adapted to receive in slidable relationship thereto a headgate 10, the headgate to be so constructed as to be easily lowered or aised in the guides to adjust the iiow of water to various requirements. The headgate 10 may be constructed preferably having a metal frame 11 or a. sheet metal backing 12, upon which is adapted to be securely fastened a cloth covering 13, the cloth covering .13 functioning toseal the joints, thereby preventing leakage through the gate.

The main section 3 of the dam is also provided with a suitable opening 14 through which the water may be allowed to flow on the raising or lowering of the headgate 10.

The front surface of the sections 1, 2 and 3 are provided with angle iron supports or reinforcing members 15, 16, 17 and 18. These reinforcing members or angle iron supports are attached to each section of the dam in any suitablcmanner by any suitable means such as rivets, and function to give rigidity and strength to the dam, as well as to aid in forcing the sections of the dam when in assembled relationship into the bottom and sides of the ditch so as to make a permanent and non-leakable condition, at the same time be convenient for removal and handling.

Arranged along each front side edge of the main section 3 is an apron 19, preferably made of cloth or other suitable material,

and adapted to he detachably fastened to the main portion 3 in such a manner that the apron portions 19 will cover the joints between the different sections of the dam when in assembled relationship, thereby making a self sealing arrangement and preventing leakage. The apron 19 may be removably fastened to section 8 by means of any suitable fastening device such as eyelets and pins 20.

The removable spillway 21 is adapted to he detach-ably fastened on the rear of the main section 3 of the dam in such a manner that the lower edge of the opening 4. in the dam will be approximately on a level with the lower edge of the entrance opening to the spillway as at 22. The spillway may be attached or hung to the main section 3 by means of pins 23, 24, 25 and 26.

The rear inside edges of the dam sections 1 and 2 are preferably turned outwardly for a portion of the distance as at 27 and 28 in order to allow for a brace to the side portions 29 and 30 in a spillway 21.

This invention provides a dam made in sections readily adjustable to varying sizes of ditches. The adjustable means consist primarily oftelescopic tubular beams bent along the upper horizontal edges of the dam sections. The headgate in the dam, according to this invention consists of a metal gate or frame covered with cloth and slidably arranged in metal guides thereby enabling the gate to he raised, lowered or closed to adjust the flow of water to the needs of the occasion. The metal plate or frame construction of the gate is adapted to be covered with a cloth layer, the water pressure against the cloth and the action of the water on the cloth, functioning to elfectan etlicient seal thereby preventing leakage, which ordinarily would occurthrough the gate. The cloth apron covering the joints between the various sections or segments of the dam functions to form an effective seal between the overlapping sections. The apron is arranged be readily removable in case of wear or need for replacement. The spillway arranged on the rear of the main section of the dam adapted to be easily adjusted in position and remove when desired.

\Vhat I claim is: p I

1. A dam and headgate construction, consisting of a plurality of sections adjustably and telescopically arranged in relationship to each other, one of the sections being provided with an opening, a headgate for adjusting a flow of water through the opening,

the means for adjusting the dam sections tions consisting of telescopic tubular mem hers arranged along the upper edges of the sectionsthereby enabling the sections tobe collapsed to any desired width, means for preventing leakage between the overlapping joints of the sections.

3. A dam and headgate construction, consisting of a plurality of sections adjustably and telescopically arranged in relationship to each other, one of the sections being provided with an opening, a headgate for adjusting a flow of water through the opening, the means for adjusting the dam sections consisting of telescopic tubular members arranged along the upper edges of the sections thereby enabling the sections to be collapsed to any desired width, means for preventing leakage between the overlapping joints of the sections, consisting of cloth aprons detachably connected to a dam section, thereby making it convenient to replace the apron when desired.

4. A dam and headgate construction consisting of a main sectionand auxiliary sections on each side thereof, means for adjustably and telescopically arranging the sections in relationship with each other, the main section being provided with an opening. a headgate for adju ting a How of water through the opening, and means on each side of the main section for preventing leakage therethrough, consisting of cloth elements extending laterally from the main section.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

DAVID C. MOCANDLESS. 

